As you probably know, gum disease is something you should strive to avoid. You’ve probably heard that, in order to keep your teeth healthy and strong, you should brush and floss regularly. Similarly, you probably know that you should visit a dentist once every six months for a routine cleaning and exam. However, do you know what you should do if you have gum disease? Also, what do you know about the stages of gum disease?
The first stage of gum disease is called gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation in your gums, though the infection isn’t usually too severe. In fact, this stage of gum disease can usually be reversed simply with brushing and flossing. However, if gingivitis isn’t addressed quickly enough, it can progress into periodontal disease. Unfortunately, periodontal disease is harder to reverse. Fortunately, a deep cleaning can usually help with this stage of gum disease.
If this stage of gum disease isn’t addressed, you may have to deal with advanced periodontal disease, which is also known as periodontitis. This more serious form of gum disease can lead to bone loss, tooth loss, and even oozing gums. At these times, chewing may become painful, resulting in a much needed need to visit your dentist.
In reality, if you’re able to catch gum disease early, you’ll be able to address the problem much more efficiently. This is one reason most dentists recommend six month checkups. As you’ve probably guessed, our team will be able to recognize the early stages of gum disease and can give you specific advice to fight against the issue. Similarly, there are a few things you can do to prevent gum disease, such as brushing and flossing daily.
If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact A Dental Care. Our dentists and team will gladly help you fight against gum disease, regardless of which stage of gum disease you have. We look forward to hearing from you soon.